By Joy Yesufu
Gunmen have abducted a woman, her three children, and five other residents in a fresh attack on Inele-Ugoh, a village in Igah Ikeje community, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who were heavily armed and operated in large numbers, overwhelmed local vigilante members, forcing them to retreat without resistance.
“The number of gunmen and the sophistication of their weapons scared the vigilantes from confronting them,” an eyewitness said.
Following the attack, the community reportedly sent distress calls to troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade stationed at a nearby checkpoint.
However, the soldiers arrived after the abductors had fled into surrounding forests.
Although joint efforts involving troops and local vigilantes have commenced a search of nearby forests, residents expressed concern that the absence of aerial surveillance could hamper rescue operations.
A source disclosed that the criminal group is known to operate in large numbers and frequently relocates its captives to evade security forces.
“These bandits move in large groups sometimes as many as 200 and often split into smaller units. They rarely stay in one place, constantly moving their captives from one location to another.
“Ground operations alone may not be effective. Drones or police helicopters from Lokoja are urgently needed to flush them out. If these criminals remain in our forests, people may not even enjoy Christmas,” the source said.
Members of the Kogi East Neighbourhood Watch also confirmed a recent surge in kidnapping incidents across Olamaboro communities, alleging that the attackers infiltrate the area from neighbouring states.
“They come in large numbers and are heavily armed. Their activities have intensified in recent weeks,” a member said.
Another resident described the attackers as criminally audacious and relentless, operating both day and night.
“We urgently need more security deployment and aerial surveillance from both the state and federal governments to curb this menace,” the resident said
